News

British skier killed and eight injured in Swiss Alps avalance

A British man was killed in an avalance in the Swiss Alps on Monday morning. The 38-year-old victim was one of 10 people swept away in the deluge of snow at the popular resort of Verbier, east of Geneva. Eight other people were uninjured but one person was flown to hospital with serious injuries following the incident. A police spokesman said: "The avalanche occurred outside the piste between the Verbier ski area and 'Les Attelas'. "At around...

2021-01-19T14:38:20Z

A picture and its Story - Protests, rallies and two impeachments: Trump's presidency in photographs

A picture and its Story - Protests, rallies and two impeachments: Trump's presidency in photographs

2021-01-19T14:22:41Z

UK coronavirus LIVE: Covid vaccine complacency ‘could see cases spike’ as Boris Johnson faces lockdown relaxation pressures

Britons should not rely on coronavirus vaccines “coming to our rescue”, health leaders have warned, as it remains “absolutely critical” that lockdown rules continue to be observed. Prof David Halpern, the chair of the Behavioural Insights Team, stressed that vaccinated people are not “good to go” and socialise with others, as he warned that any jab recipients who do mix with families and friends risk sparking another surge in cases. His comments...

2021-01-19T07:20:27Z

Inauguration Day 2021: Trump pardons expected as he spend final day as president

US President Donald Trump is reportedly set to grant clemency to rapper Lil Wayne on Tuesday in a final wave of pardons and commutations that is not expected to include lawyer Rudy Giuliani or ex-aide Steve Bannon. Tiger king star Joe Exotic's lawyers have said they fully expect their client to receive a pardon - and have even ordered a limo for the occasion. It comes ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration on Wednesday. Mr Biden...

2021-01-18T12:18:08Z

Germany extends lockdown to February 14 on fears of COVID variants, sources say

By Andreas Rinke and Christian Kraemer BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and state premiers agreed on Tuesday to The post Germany extends lockdown to February 14 on fears of COVID variants, sources say appeared first on CityAM.

2021-01-19T15:06:47Z

London to get extra vaccines after capitals falls to bottom of jab roll-out table

London has been promised extra vaccine supplies after dismal figures revealed the capital has slipped to the bottom of the league table for rolling out the jab. Mayor Sadiq Khan said he “fully expects” the number of jabs to speed up towards the end of this week as batches arrive at new vaccination centres opening their doors across the capital. Latest NHS data shows London has administered the lowest number of coronavirus vaccines in England so...

2021-01-19T11:51:05Z

Boris Johnson 'does not have a nap' during the day, Downing Street says

Boris Johnson does not take naps during the day and claims that the prime minister likes an afternoon snooze are "untrue", Number 10 has said.

2021-01-19T14:06:12Z

More pupils in English schools last week than during first lockdown, data says

Figures suggest 21% of primary school pupils and 5% of secondary school students attended classrooms.

2021-01-19T14:25:18Z

Trump supporters rally for gun rights in Virginia ahead of Biden swearing-in

Security has been ramped up in state capitals across the United States ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday. In Virginia, just two hours' drive from Washington, DC, protesters and militia members turned out to lobby against gun control, although not in large numbers as the tense countdown to the handover of power continues. Hardline conservatives are vowing to keep making their voices heard – for the next four years. Convoys of gun...

2021-01-19T14:35:12Z

Brexit news – live: UK’s biggest fish market left ‘like ghost town’, as Eurostar under threat

Boris Johnson’s government has been warned that meat worth hundreds of thousands of pounds is going to waste at EU ports, as British exporters continue to get caught up in post-Brexit red tape problems. It comes as photos emerged showing UK’s largest fish market in Peterhead largely deserted, as the industry struggles with an export slump caused by customs delays. “What a sad sight – like a ghost town,” said the Scotland Food and Drink group....

2021-01-19T09:31:36Z

Iran begins coastal ground forces military drill

The Iranian military has begun ground forces drills along the coast of the Gulf of Oman. It is the latest in a series of snap exercises that the country is holding amid escalating tensions with the US over its nuclear program.

2021-01-19T14:55:24Z

Cheltenham Festival winner Charles Byrnes banned for six months over failed drugs test

The Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer's horse Viking Hoard was pulled up at Tramore in 2018. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board suspended his licence

2021-01-19T15:05:43Z

Women groomed into prostitution as teenagers launch High Court legal fight over criminal records

Women who were coerced into prostitution as teenagers are to challenge their criminal records being held on file until they are aged 100 in a High Court legal fight. The women bringing the challenge against both police chiefs and the government were groomed into prostitution and have a slew of criminal convictions for soliciting and loitering. Records on the Police National Computer can be accessed by a broad variety of public bodies and some...

2021-01-18T19:02:59Z

What has Boris Johnson said about Trump?

A former head of the UK civil service has suggested that Boris Johnson will be "glad" to see the back of Donald Trump following his election defeat. As Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House, Lord Sedwill said on Monday that those arguing the prime minister would have preferred a second Trump term "are mistaken". Mr Johnson generally avoided criticising the Trump administration until recently, when five people died during the US Capitol...

2021-01-19T15:02:27Z

Most non-food pubs in England still awaiting £1,000 Covid grants

Nearly three-quarters of the pubs promised a £1,000 grant by the prime minister to help them survive the loss of Christmas sales in England are still waiting for the money, the industry trade body has warned. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said it was “scandalous” that many of its members were still awaiting cash promised in December, warning that much of the industry was on the verge of financial ruin. The grants, which local...

2021-01-19T14:12:23Z

Mother, 18, died after having baby in 'unknown pregnancy'

Danielle Jones, 18, who didn't know she was pregnant, was rushed to hospital at midday on Sunday after giving birth to baby Danny at her home in Bristol.

2021-01-19T14:57:25Z

Police investigating possible hate crime following vandalism of Bernie Sanders mural in DC

Police in Washington, DC, are investigating the vandalism of a mural depicting Jewish senator Bernie Sanders as a possible hate crime. The mural of Mr Sanders, located in the Navy Yard area of Washington, DC, was defaced with a cartoon image of internet meme, “Pepe the Frog”, at some point between 15 December and 14 January, according to DC police. The authorities were called to investigate the vandalism on Saturday by one of the artists of the...

2021-01-19T14:43:52Z

Publication of Meghan’s letter ‘serious invasion’ of privacy, court told

The publication of an “intrinsically private, personal and sensitive” letter sent by the Duchess of Sussex to her estranged father was a “plain and serious invasion” of privacy, her lawyers have told the High Court. Meghan, 39, is suing the publisher of The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline over a series of articles which reproduced parts of the handwritten letter sent to 76-year-old Thomas Markle in August 2018. She is seeking damages for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act over five articles, published in February 2019, which included extracts from the “private and confidential” letter to her father.

2021-01-19T14:07:28Z

Storm Christoph: ‘Danger to life’ flood warning as councils prepare for evacuations

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain and flooding in parts of the north and east of England that could pose a “danger to life”. Severe weather set to batter the UK this week through Storm Christoph could bring significant flooding across some areas, according to the Environment Agency, which described the situation as “volatile”. The Met Office said torrential downpours were “likely on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday”....

2021-01-18T13:10:30Z

Door open to talks with EU on visa arrangements for musicians, minister says

Culture minister Caroline Dinenage said the Government is willing to discuss the issue again.

2021-01-19T14:40:16Z

Holly Willoughby reveals unique solution to son Chester's nightmares - special crystal

Mother-of-three Holly placed a piece of green fluorite beside six-year-old Chester to ensure he has a quiet night, she told This Morning viewers on Tuesday

2021-01-19T14:21:00Z

Biden inauguration news - live: Security scare over QAnon National Guard chatter as Field of Flags unveiled

As preparations continue for Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, concern reigns in Washington, DC, over rumours that QAnon believers plan to disguise themselves as National Guardsmen to infiltrate the event in the hope of promoting further unrest like that seen in the Capitol riot of 6 January. Meanwhile, a spectacular, 200,000-strong “Field of Flags” has been unveiled on the National Mall honouring Americans who cannot attend the...

2021-01-19T13:43:38Z

Forget Brexit and Boris – Britain is the envy of Europe thanks to the NHS

Britain now has the worst Covid death rate in the world, due in large part to Boris Johnson’s fatal refusal to make decisions in time, from the late lockdown in March last year to the delayed announcement of Covid PCR tests on arrivals into the UK – the norm in most of Europe since early summer. The provision of PPE has given rise to widespread accusations of Tory chumocracy pocket lining, with exposés in The New York Times and Le Monde...

2021-01-19T10:58:14Z

Pictures from space! Our image of the day

This stunning, sandy, sienna-hued landscape is the Tanezrouft Basin (a desolate region of the Sahara Desert) as seen by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 from space.

2021-01-19T14:49:07Z

Researchers warn of another Covid spike if people mix after vaccine

Vaccinated people mistakenly believe they are “good to go” and socialise with other people despite a continuing threat of the coronavirus, the head of the government’s behavioural unit said on Tuesday. Prof David Halpern, the chair of the Behavioural Insights Team, said surveys showed that those who had received a jab were preparing to meet family and friends, which could result in another spike of the virus. “We definitely do worry that people...

2021-01-19T14:23:10Z

Labour MP Calls For Emergency Workers To Get Free Euro 2020 Tickets

“Covid heroes” who have worked in the emergency services during the pandemic should be given free tickets to England’s Euro 2020 matches, a Labour MP has said. Apsana Begum said thousands of complimentary tickets should be reserved for the England men’s football team group games at Wembley for NHS staff, care workers and paramedics. England play Scotland, the Czech Republic and Croatia at the 90,000-seater stadium in June and reports suggest the...

2021-01-19T14:59:11Z

Business secretary confirms post-Brexit review of UK workers' rights

The business secretary has confirmed his department is reviewing how EU employment rights protections could be changed after Brexit, while insisting they will not be watered down. The Guardian understands a consultation on employment rights was signed off by Kwasi Kwarteng’s predecessor, Alok Sharma, who left after being given a full-time role leading preparations for the Cop26 climate conference. The consultation is said by insiders to be ready...

2021-01-19T15:08:20Z

Pandemic could be WHO's Chernobyl moment, review panel says

Pandemic could be WHO's Chernobyl moment, review panel says

2021-01-19T14:41:31Z

Coronavirus news – live: One in eight people in England have had Covid amid warning over schools reopening

One in eight people in England are estimated to have had Covid-19 by December last year, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. Figures estimating a total of 5.4 million people, or 12.1 per cent of the population, would have tested positive for coronavirus antibodies by last month were released as a government adviser warned it was still unclear whether schools will reopen next month. Dr Jenny Harries, a medical...

2021-01-19T08:42:59Z

Trump news – live: President ‘desperate’ for goodbye event numbers boost as he wakes up to last day in office

President Donald Trump is ‘desperate’ to pull in more numbers for his farewell event, CNN’s White House correspondent has reported, as he faces his final full day in the White House. Trump will host the goodbye ceremony just hours before President-elect Biden’s inauguration and is reportedly looking for a boost in numbers after a low level of confirmed attendees. One of Trump’s final acts in the Oval Office has been to lift Covid travel...

2021-01-19T08:27:53Z

Scotland lockdown to last until mid-February, Sturgeon announces

Scotland will remain in lockdown until at least the middle of February, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

2021-01-19T14:51:05Z

Already in lockdown, Dutch to toughen COVID-19 measures

Already in lockdown, Dutch to toughen COVID-19 measures

2021-01-19T14:46:25Z

Donald Trump’s presidency in pictures: Key moments from meeting Kim Jong-Un to US Capitol riots

The US is just hours away from saying goodbye to President Donald J Trump. The country’s 45th leader will hand over the mantle to Joe Biden after four explosive years in charge. Since his inauguration on January 20, 2017, when he pledged to “make America great again”, Mr Trump has divided opinion across both his homeland and the world. This collection of images, collated by the Standard, offers a snapshot of some of his most memorable moments of...

2021-01-19T14:36:57Z

Father, 29, in court accused of triple murder of his ex and children

A father has today been charged with the triple murder of his partner and two of his children, one of whom was a three-week old baby, over a six-year period.

2021-01-19T15:12:32Z

France’s elder and local authorities criticise slow vaccination rollout despite growing demand

France’s population aged 75 and over can now make an appointment to get a coronavirus vaccine, as the campaign was officially launched on Monday. But criticism has been raised, as half a million doses have been reserved, but the system is now officially overwhelmed. Local authorities have pointed to a lack of shots, with some eve trying to procure the supplies themselves.

2021-01-19T14:59:00Z

US lawyers lodge appeal against block on Julian Assange’s extradition

District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled against extradition, citing the suicide risk for the WikiLeaks founder.

2021-01-19T14:55:16Z

Government says it’s 'too early' to explain why UK has worst COVID death rate in world

Watch: Minister says ‘too early’ to explain why UK has worst COVID death rate The government has said it is “too early” to explain why the UK has the worst COVID-19 death rate in the world. Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis refused to answer a number of questions on the issue during a heated interview with hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday. On Monday, University of Oxford research platform Our...

2021-01-19T15:08:13Z

What happens after lockdown? How tier system could replace national Covid restrictions when current rules end

The government is reportedly considering a three-point strategy for lifting the lockdown

2021-01-18T12:10:53Z

ICE to deport man to Haiti who has never been there and is not a citizen, report says

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to deport a man to Haiti who is not a Haitian citizen and who has never been there, according to a report. Paul Pierrilus, a 40-year-old financial consultant from Rockland County, New York, will be deported on a plane bound for Haiti on Tuesday, The Guardian reported. According to a birth certificate said to have been supplied to the outlet by his family, Mr Pierrilus was born in the...

2021-01-19T14:55:37Z

Boris Johnson’s planned cut to universal credit is a reminder of the bleak outlook for many Britons today

Your story about Boris Johnson’s planned removal of the £20 increase in universal credit reminds us of the bleak outlook for living standards for many people in need in the UK if the government does not act now. During the coronavirus pandemic, people with cancer have experienced huge financial pressures, from the costs of travelling further for treatment to higher bills from living in isolation. These pressures often come at a time when people...

2021-01-19T15:00:29Z

Biden picks transgender woman Dr Rachel Levine as assistant health secretary

Pennsylvania health secretary Dr Rachel Levine is poised to become the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate, after President-elect Joe Biden announced her nomination for assistant US secretary of health. Dr Levine, 64, who is a pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general, become one of a few transgender people serving in appointed or elected positions in the US when Democratic governor Tom Wolf appointed...

2021-01-19T14:59:00Z

Emergency services had fears of ‘marauding terrorist’ amid Manchester explosion

The inquiry, which began last September, heard that there had been ‘reports of a shooting’ as well as an explosion.

2021-01-19T15:10:15Z

Racecourse vaccination centre to shut for day to allow horse racing to continue

Newbury Racecourse provides up to 1,500 jabs per day.

2021-01-19T14:40:02Z

Husband of woman who vanished five years ago launches appeal

Mohamed Mohamed-Ali returned from work on the afternoon of 12 February 2016 to discover his wife Fatima, then 52, had gone missing from the family home in Newhaven, East Sussex.

2021-01-19T14:59:35Z

Actors scramble to apologise amid backlash against Amazon show for ‘insulting Hindu deities’

The stars and makers of a new Amazon Prime TV series in India have had to issue an “unconditional” apology after politicians called for the show to be banned following an uproar over alleged insults to Hindu gods. The apology came after a criminal case was registered against the makers of the series “Tandav” in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh for “hurting religious sentiments”, and India’s central ministry of information and broadcasting has...

2021-01-19T14:25:33Z

Taoiseach urged to intervene in row over reopening special needs schools

Labour Alan Kelly said the situation is ‘a complete mess’ and called on Government to make a decision after unions backed out over safety concerns.

2021-01-19T14:55:16Z

Austrian Artist Creates Quirky Face Masks Every Day In Lockdown Challenge

Austrian artist Matthias Kretschmer has created hilarious masks in his challenge to create an eye-catching face mask every day in the lockdown period. He started during lockdown one, then picked up where he left off when his home country of Austria got locked down again So far, he has made almost 80 new masks – ranging from Baby Yoda to rocker Slash from Guns N’ Roses. “I guess it is a nice contrast to all the bad news these days,” he says.

2021-01-19T15:05:58Z

European countries struggle to make most of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses

European countries struggle to make most of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses

2021-01-19T14:26:23Z

A convoy of pro-gun advocates on a Virginia highway.

A convoy of pro-gun advocates on a Virginia highway.

2021-01-19T14:35:09Z

Continuity IRA ‘could have fired shots at civilian helicopter’ say PSNI as they ask public for patience in ongoing bomb search operation

Police have asked the public for their continued patience as they continue to search a rural Co Fermanagh area after a report that persons purporting to represent the Continuity IRA left a suspicious device.

2021-01-19T09:29:22Z